Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

176 The Battles of the Camel and Siffeen, and the issue of arbitration
From these reports, it seems that the treatment of captives was
as follows:
* They were honoured and treated kindly.
-3 They were given the option of swearing allegiance and
obeying the caliph, in which case they would be released.
.' If a prisoner refused to swear allegiance, his weapon would be
confiscated and he would be asked to swear an oath that he
would not go back to fighting; if he did so, then he would be
released.
If the prisoner insisted on fighting, then he would be kept in
captivity, but he would not be killed.641 On one occasion,
fifteen prisoners were brought to 'Ali (&), and it seems that
they were wounded. Those who died were washed and
shrouded, and the funeral prayer was offered for them."'
Mubibb ad-Deen al-Khateeh said, commenting on this battle:
"Nevertheless, this exemplary battle was the first humane war
in history, in which both sides adhered to the principles of
virtue that the wise men of the West wish were implemented in
their wars, even in the twenty-first century. Many of the
principles of war in Islam wonld not have been known and
written down were it not for this battle taking place, and Allah
(&) has wisdom in all affairs." Ibn al-'Adeem said: "I say: All
of that shows the rulings and guidelines on fighting the
transgressing group (rebels). Hence Abu Haneefah said: 'Were
it not for 'Ali's treatment of them, no one wonld know how to
deal with Muslims (who rebel against
2.2.11. The number of people slain
The scholars have conflicting views concerning the number of
people slain at Siffeen. Ibn Ahi Khaythamah said that it was seventy